Gujarat riots (2002)
What Happened & Why It’s Important
- The train burning acted as the spark. After that, large-scale communal violence erupted primarily targeting Muslims in Gujarat. Many homes, businesses were burnt, many people killed or displaced.
Several specific massacres:
- In Naroda Patiya, 28 Feb 2002, about 97 Muslims killed in one event.
- In Gulbarg Society (Ahmedabad), also 28 Feb 2002, many killed including Ehsan Jafri.
- Investigations & responsibility: The state government (led by Modi) was accused of failing to prevent or stopping the violence. However some legal processes concluded that there was no prosecutable evidence directly against him.
- Death tolls: Official numbers say around 1,000+ killed; other estimates suggest higher - 1,926 or more.
- The consequences: It deeply impacted communal relations in India, raised questions about governance, justice, accountability, and remains a major part of Modi’s political history.
Sources
AP News
India court restores life prison sentences for 11 Hindu men who raped a Muslim woman in 2002 riots
Times of India
Post-Godhra riots case: 19 years after conviction, Gujarat HC acquits 3 for want of reliable evidence